Matrox Graphics Inc. has announced the immediate availability of a fanless cooling version of the industry’s highest-density 4K IP decode and display card. The new fanless, single-slot Matrox Mura IPX card for IP-based multi-viewers and personal video walls features best-in-class decoding of multiple 4K and Full HD streams for display across up to four 4K outputs, well-suited for environments requiring high-performance, high-reliability operation.
A ‘video wall system on a card&rsqu...

Opening up new possibilities for competitive video surveillance deployments in retail, restaurant and small business applications, IDIS has launched a compact range of robust, high performance cameras and recorders. The IDIS Compact Solutions series is designed for rapid installations and both single and multi-site roll outs, allowing for the mixing and matching of analog and IP technologies, making upgrades and system extensions more affordable than ever.
IDIS Compact Solutions
The new line i...

ONVIF, the global standardization initiative for IP-based physical security products, has announced the final release of Profile T, a new specification with advanced video streaming capabilities and an expanded feature set for metadata streaming and analytics. Profile T also offers support for H.265 video compression, which more efficiently handles image streams from high-definition cameras.
With Profile T, ONVIF will employ a new media service that offers support for both H.265 and H.264 video...

Matrix Comsec is to participate in the NPPC (National Public Procurement Conclave) 2018 to be held in New Delhi from 30th to 31st October 2018. Matrix will be exhibiting their communication and security solutions along with other enterprise grade solutions.
IP Solutions For Modern Enterprises
From the Telecom domain, Matrix will be exhibiting the newly launched pure IP solutions for modern enterprises - PRASAR UCS and the smart video IP deskphone - SPARSH VP710 at the event. The company will a...

In today’s market, efficient use of bandwidth and storage is an essential part of maintaining an effective video surveillance system. A video management system’s ability to provide analysis, real time event notifications and crucial image detail is only as a good as the speed and bandwidth of a surveillance network.
In the physical security industry, H.264 is the video compression format used by most companies. Some companies also employ H.264 enhancements to compress areas of an im...

News

Panasonic System Solutions Company of North America will launch the first 4 x 4K Multi-Sensor video surveillance camera at Global Security Exchange (GSX) 2018 Expo at the Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas, NV, in booth 2737.
Part of the new Panasonic i-PRO Extreme line of video surveillance cameras, the Multi-Sensor delivers extreme image quality – 4x4K (33 MP), 3840x2160, 15 FPS – for evidence capturing from any angle for use in safe city and traffic applications. The Multi-Sensor cameras have four repositionable lenses which reduce blind spots; four high image quality 4K image sensors; provide sharp and clear images of fast moving vehicles with iA (intelligent Auto) support; ClearSight Coating; environmental durability (IP66, IK 10 and Dehumidification); and deliver enhanced low light performance in true color with Super Dynamic 108dB for backlit situations and shadows. Multi-Sensor model WV-X8570N is now available.
Enhance Security And Safety
“The capability of the Multi-Sensor to deliver extreme image quality even in the most challenging conditions is what sets it apart from similar cameras in the market. Panasonic is pushing the limits of technology in video surveillance in an effort to help enhance security and safety,” said Domingo Martinez, Product Marketing, Panasonic System Solutions Company of North America.
Our customers have been eagerly awaiting our Multi-Sensor camera and we are excited to officially launch it here at GSX"
“Our customers have been eagerly awaiting our Multi-Sensor camera and we are excited to officially launch it here at GSX.” In addition to the Multi-Sensor, the line of i-PRO Extreme video surveillance cameras includes the 5 MP Fixed Camera.
Reduce Transmitted Data
The i-PRO Extreme 5 MP fixed camera line offers iA (intelligent Auto); Auto Shutter speed control for moving vehicles; image capture of a person walking in daylight or at night; optimum low light performance; and Super Dynamic 120dB for backlit situations including headlights or shadows on streets. With 5 megapixel images up to 30 FPS, efficient H.265 compression provides longer recording and less storage than other H.264 techniques.
New self-learning ROI detects movement within an image and compresses areas with little motion to reduce transmitted data while maintaining the quality of the image. Complete end-to-end system encryption with supported i-PRO recorders and devices provides protection from IP snooping, IP spoofing, and data alteration. To demo the Panasonic i-PRO Extreme 4K Multi-Sensor camera and other security systems solutions, visit Panasonic Booth #2737 at GSX 2018 at the Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas, NV.

Panasonic System Solutions Company of North America, a provider of connected security solutions for numerous verticals including law enforcement, transportation and educational institutions will showcase new additions to its diversified technology portfolio of end-to-end security and evidence management solutions at Global Security Exchange 2018 Expo (GSX), September 23-27 in Booth #2737 at the Las Vegas Convention Center in Las Vegas, NV.
Software Surveillance Platforms
“Panasonic is excited to participate in GSX and showcase our security portfolio – a comprehensive eco-system that includes video, management software, access control, mobility, and analytics,” said William Brennan, Director Sales and Marketing Securities Group, Panasonic System Solutions Company of North America. “We look forward to demonstrating Panasonic’s secure, reliable, and cost-effective security solutions.”
Adding to the fixed, mobile and body-worn hardware and software surveillance platforms unveiled late last year, Panasonic will exhibit new integrated products and services that connect and manage the fast-changing security industry. New products include the i-PRO EXTREME 33MP (4x4K) Multi-Sensor camera; and the I-PRO EXTREME 5MP Fixed camera series.
Panasonic technology solutions in GSX Booth #2737 include:
New I-PRO EXTREME H.265 Multi-Sensor Camera – WV-X8570N, WV-S8530N
i-PRO EXTREME Multi-Sensor cameras have four repositionable lenses, 4K image sensors, offer sharp and clear images of fast moving vehicles
The new I-PRO EXTREME Multi-Sensor cameras deliver hi-resolution image quality – 4x4K (33 MP), 3840x2160, 15 FPS – for evidence capturing under the most challenging of conditions which makes it perfect for use in safe city and traffic applications. i-PRO EXTREME Multi-Sensor cameras have four repositionable lenses, 4K image sensors, offer sharp and clear images of fast moving vehicles with iA (intelligent Auto) and ClearSight Coating.
Highly durable and adaptable to extreme low light performance, the I-PRO EXTREME Multi-Sensor is optimized for nighttime applications. H.265 compression with new smart coding, self-learning ROI (Region of Interest) and advanced data security further enhance the i-PRO EXTREME Multi-Sensor cameras.
New I-PRO EXTREME H.265 5MP Fixed Camera – WV-S2550L, WV-S2250L, WV-S1550L
The new I-PRO EXTREME 5 MP fixed camera line offer sharp and clear images of fast moving vehicles, sharp images of a person walking in daylight or at night, outstanding low light performance with iA (intelligent Auto), and Super Dynamic 120dB for backlit situations including headlights or shadows on streets.
With 5MP images up to 30 FPS, efficient H.265 compression provides longer recording and less storage than other H.264 techniques. New self-learning ROI (Region of Interest) detects movement within an image and compresses areas with little motion to reduce transmitted data while maintaining the quality of the image. Full end-to-end system encryption with I-PRO EXTREME Recorder and devices provide protection from IP snooping, IP spoofing, and data alteration.
New-To-Market: FacePRO Facial Recognition
FacePRO high-precision facial recognition software can identify faces that are difficult to recognize with conventional technologies
Featuring a ‘deep learning’ core engine that boasts the world’s highest face recognition performance, FacePRO high-precision facial recognition software can identify faces that are difficult to recognize with conventional technologies, including faces at an angle of up to 45 degrees to the left or right or 30 degrees up or down, as well as those partially hidden by sunglasses.
FacePRO options include an "iA (intelligent Auto) mode" signaling the camera to automatically adjust settings to capture optimal images for facial recognition.
Next Gen: Video Insight VI 7.3 Video Management Software
Video Insight VI 7.3 is the latest generation of VI’s open-platform, and brings enhanced scalability, improved client performance, NVR integration, 360 dewarps support for Mac as well as enhanced analytics support including Line Crossing, Direction Detection and Loitering Direction.
New Unified Digital Evidence (UDE) Software
The new software offers a unique platform to gather and store digital evidence from the Arbitrator In-Car and Body-Worn camera platforms, as well as other sources, including fixed surveillance and a variety of digital media devices.

Arecont Vision Costar, global provider of IP-based megapixel camera technology and video surveillance solutions, announces the immediate availability of all ConteraIP single-sensor cameras. The four new bullet and dome models are part of the Arecont Vision Total Video Solution, composed of megapixel cameras, video management system, cloud-enabled web services, and video recorders. The Total Video Solution and its components will be on display this week at both GSX 2018 Las Vegas, in Conference Room 10, Westgate Hotel, September 25 – 26, and at Security Essen, Hall 5, booth 5F30 (ALLNET Deutschland GmbH), September 25 - 28.
ConteraIP Megapixel Cameras
ConteraIP megapixel cameras are among the most feature-rich cameras available today for professional video surveillance, with world-class capabilities and affordability combined with Arecont Vision’s industry-leading designs. This new advanced series was first unveiled in April at ISC West 2018 as a complementary offering to Arecont Vision’s customer-proven, cyber-secure MegaIP camera family that is also part of the Total Video Solution.
Contera cameras feature H.264 and H.265 codecs, SNAPstream and SNAPstream+ bandwidth reduction technologySingle-sensor ConteraIP cameras are now available in indoor or outdoor dome, bullet, and micro bullet configurations, with choice of 2MP or 5MP capability across the entire product line. Both the ConteraIP and MegaIP camera families offer ONVIF compliance and integration with the ConteraVMS and dozens of other video management systems through MegaLab testing and validation.
Cloud-Enabled ConteraVMS
“Our initial customers are already benefiting from use of the new ConteraIP family in a variety of application environments and VMS choices,” said Brad Donaldson, Vice President of Product Development for Arecont Vision. “We are very excited to be in full production with these powerful new cameras that are proving popular with our cloud- enabled ConteraVMS and with many MegaLab-pretested VMS and NVR choices that customers traditionally employ.”
Outdoor models are compliant with the IP66 environmental and IK-10 impact resistance standardContera cameras feature H.264 and H.265 codecs, SNAPstream and SNAPstream+ bandwidth reduction technology, NightView color low light technology, and offer Enhanced WDR up to 120db. All models include multi-streaming at full frames per second (fps), defog technology, industry-standard security and network protocol support, and are ONVIF G and S compliant. Most models include Smart IR technology that adapts to object distance and angle, plus include an SD card slot for onboard storage. Outdoor models are compliant with the IP66 environmental and IK-10 impact resistance standards.
MegaIP Cameras And ConteraCMR
Both the ConteraIP and MegaIP camera families support the Arecont Vision API, offer a three-year standard warranty, and support MegaLab integration with 3rd party hardware and software applications that go beyond the ONVIF standards.
Conference attendees can experience both the ConteraIP and MegaIP camera families, as well as learn about the new ConteraVMS, ConteraWS web services, and ConteraCMR cloud-managed recorders that form the Total Video Solution for traditional, cloud-based, or hybrid local/cloud video surveillance.

At GSX 2018 in booth #2341, Hanwha Techwin America, a global supplier of IP and analog video surveillance solutions, will enhance the Wisenet Q series line of cameras with new flat-eye cameras and NVRs. Scheduled for September 2018, the new cameras and recorders offer simple and essential features that are ideal for small- to medium-sized applications.
Improved Bandwidth Efficiency Up To 75%
The Wisenet Q series offers a range of 24 indoor and outdoor dome cameras to meet the needs of a variety of customers looking for sharp and clear image quality at an affordable price, including retail, banking, offices, transportation and more. Available in 2MP and 4MP resolutions, the new flat-eye cameras feature motorized vari-focal lenses, WiseStream and H.265 for improved bandwidth efficiency, 120dB WDR (wide dynamic range), defocus detection, reduced IR reflection and PoE power. The four new models include:
QNE-7080RV: 4MP @ 20fps, motorized vari-focal, ivory color
QNE-7080RVW: 4MP @ 20fps, motorized vari-focal, white color
QNE-6080RV: 2MP @ 30fps, motorized vari-focal, ivory color
QNE-6080RVW: 2MP @ 30fps, motorized vari-focal, white color
The QRN NVRs support Hanwha’s WiseStream compression technology to improve bandwidth and storage efficiency for high-resolution images
Wisenet Q Series NVRs
The new QRN NVRs provide high-performance recording solutions yet cost-effective options for smaller installations such as offices and retailers. Customers can save on both installation costs and time by using the Wisenet Q series together with the new Q series PoE NVRs (Network Video Recorders). The PoE ports negate the need for the provision of separate power cables and plug points for each camera or the need for an external PoE switch.
Just like the cameras in the Wisenet Q series, the new QRN NVRs support Hanwha’s WiseStream compression technology to improve bandwidth and storage efficiency for high resolution images. The QRN-410S 4 channel models support 40Mbps network camera recording. The 8 channel QRN-810S models can record up to 80Mbps, while the 16 channel QRN-1610S models can record up to 128Mbps.
The QRN NVRs provide easy remote access configuration via the Wisenet Mobile App using a QR code. The recorders are fully compatible with Wisenet WAVE VMS (Video Management Software), an extremely easy-to-use and scalable software solution that maximizes the efficiency of Wisenet network cameras and provides the option to seamlessly monitor, expand, and scale its systems.

MOBOTIX (Stand C310) is showcasing its latest product line and technology partnerships that reflect an emerging culture of openness within the company. MOBOTIX welcomes 6 partners onto its booth to demonstrate a range of exciting new integrated solutions.
MOBOTIX MOVE Camera Line
MOBOTIX is demonstrating the first public appearance of its new MOBOTIX MOVE line of cameras, the first ONVIF G compliant series. It is able to deliver three H.264 streams at the same time. The MOBOTIX MOVE series consists of four models and is also the first MOBOTIX camera series offered with the latest market standard features such as motorized varifocal lenses, integrated IR illumination and Wide Dynamic Range functionality.
MOBOTIX MOVE products are specified and tested by MOBOTIX in Germany and manufactured under supervision"
“We listened and the MOBOTIX MOVE series is our response to requests from integrators and installers who asked for standard products when it comes to tenders where the specification requires features like PTZ, varifocal lenses and WDR.” explains Thomas Lausten, Chief Executive Officer of MOBOTIX. “MOBOTIX MOVE products are specified and tested by MOBOTIX in Germany and manufactured under supervision. Our customers can be sure that we won’t lose our product DNA and all MOBOTIX MOVE branded devices are delivered and supported according to the same high-quality standards our customers expect.”
MOBOTIX Mx6 Camera Line
MOBOTIX is also showcasing the second generation of its flagship Mx6 camera line with new integrated MxBus functionality. This two-wire cable system developed by MOBOTIX is encrypted against cyberattacks and expands camera functions by including practical additional MOBOTIX modules such as the MX-GPS-Box, a reliable time server for a complete video system.
MOBOTIX is welcoming several partners to its IFSEC booth this year, with products, services and executives from Genetec, Ipsotek, Kentix, SEDI, SeSys and Wavestore. The technology demonstrations from these partners showcases how MOBOTIX innovations in areas such as video encoding, decentralized operation and analytics delivers true end-to-end integrated solutions that solve real world challenges in not only security but other areas such as transportation, healthcare and manufacturing.
The IFSEC presence highlights several additional themes including cyber security, Internet of Things and advances in artificial intelligence
IFSEC 2018
“The inclusion of more partners at IFSEC is an example of our ongoing strategy of making MOBOTIX more open and responsive to the needs of our entire ecosystem for the benefit of our customers,” explains Lausten, “MOBOTIX is an innovative company with engineering excellence at its heart and as a global supplier, our inclusive strategy is helping us to enter new markets by providing our partners with more flexibility to address a wider range of projects with our systems.”
The IFSEC presence also highlights several additional themes including cyber security, Internet of Things and advances in artificial intelligence that MOBOTIX technologies play a critical role in delivering as successful projects. “A number of solutions use our decentralized concept with various sensor technologies and other devices across the network to reliably detect situations and independently initiate actions in responses,” says Lausten, “Our goal is to take our industry beyond human vision and blend sensors, communication and analysis that helps users increase process efficiency and develop innovative business models.”

Johnson Controls is announcing two new camera models to the Illustra Pro line, with the Pro Compact Mini-Domes in 2MP and 3MP resolution, ideal for applications such as retail stores, healthcare facilities and banks where low profile and aesthetics are important.
The Illustra 2MP and 3MP Pro Compact Mini-Domes are equipped with various viewing angles including corridor mode, a 9x16 field of view aspect ratio for vertically oriented scenes, which is optimal for hallways, aisles or any area where a landscape format is not ideal.
Illustra IntelliZip Compression Technology
Rated both IP66 and IP67 for environmental protection as well as IK10 for vandal resistance, the Pro Compact Mini-Domes can be installed indoors and outdoors for a truly versatile solution. The Pro Compact Mini-Domes also feature Illustra IntelliZip compression technology that monitors and adjusts system streaming parameters to match the level of activity in the camera’s field of view.
IntelliZip automatically adjusts the video encoder configuration to ensure every detail within the region of interest is captured clearly, minimizing video and storage needs. Advanced VideoEdge TrickleStor technology enables edge based video recording, even in an outage. The camera will automatically detect network interruptions and starts to record video to its SD card followed by a seamlessly video transfer to the NVR’s hard drive once the network connection is reestablished.

Expert commentary

Video surveillance across the world is growing exponentially and its major application is in both public safety and law enforcement. Traditionally, it has been fixed surveillance where cameras provide live streams from fixed cameras situated in what is considered strategic locations. But they are limited in what they can see given by their very definition of being “fixed”.
The future of video surveillance includes the deployment of more mobile video surveillance with the benefits it offers. Instead of fixed cameras, this is the ability to live stream from mobile devices on the move such as body-worn cams, drones, motorbikes, cars, helicopters and in some cases, even dogs!Sending drones into the air, for example for missing people or rescue missions, is much more cost-effective than deploying helicopters
Advantages Of Mobile Surveillance
The advantage of mobile surveillance is that the camera can go to where the action is, rather than relying on the action going to where the camera is. Also, sending drones into the air, for example for missing people or rescue missions, is much more cost-effective than deploying helicopters.
The ability to live stream video from cars and helicopters in high-speed pursuits can be used to take some of the operational issues from the first responders on the ground and share that “life and death” responsibility with the operational team leaders back in the command center.
This allows the first responders in the pursuit vehicle to focus on minimizing risk while staying in close proximity of the fleeing vehicle, with direction from a higher authority who can see for themselves in real time the issues that are being experienced, and direct accordingly.
In addition to showing video live stream from a pursuit car or motorcycle, by using inbuilt GPS tracking, the video can be displayed on a map in real time, allowing a command chief to better utilize additional resource and where to deploy them, through the use of displaying mapping information with real time video feed. It allows police chiefs to make better informed decisions in highly-charged environments.
The 4G phone network can now be used with compressed video to live stream cost effectively
Application in emergency situations
The same is true of first responders in many different emergency situations. Mobile surveillance opens up a new area of efficiencies that previously was impossible to achieve.
For example, special operations can wear action body-worn cameras when doing raids, fire departments can live stream from emergency situations with both thermal and daylight cameras, and paramedics can send video streams back to hospitals allowing doctors to remotely diagnose and prepare themselves for when patients arrive at the hospital.
How can special operations and emergency first responders live stream video from a mobile camera with the issues of weight, reliability and picture-quality being considered?
H265 Mobile Video Compression
Law enforcement insists on secure transmissions, and it is possible to encrypt video to the highest level of security available in the public domain
The 4G phone network can now be used with compressed video to live stream cost effectively. The issue of course is that 4G is not always reliable. Soliton Systems has mitigated this risk of low mobile quality in certain areas, by building an H265 mobile video compression device that can use multiple SIM cards from different cellular providers simultaneously.
H265 is the latest compression technique for video, that is 50% more effective than conventional H264, and coupling this with using multiple “bonded” SIM cards provides a highly reliable connection for live-streaming high-quality HD video.
The 400-gram device with an internal battery can be connected to a small action cam, and can live-stream simultaneously over at least three different cellular providers, back to a command center. Latency is typically less than a second, and new advance improvements are looking to reduce that latency further.
Encrypted Video Transmission
What about security? Law enforcement insists on secure transmissions, and it is possible to encrypt video to the highest level of security available in the public domain, i.e. AES256.What about integration into existing video infrastructure at the command center? It is not untypical for a police force to have an existing video management system (VMS) at their command center such as Milestone System’s Xprotect.
The Soliton range of products are ONVIF-compliant, a standard used by video surveillance cameras for interoperability, allowing cameras and video devices that are ONVIF-compliant to simply “plug&play” into existing video management systems.
These mobile transmitters are deployed with law enforcement and first responders across the globe. Their ability to provide secure, full HD quality and highly-reliable video streaming within a small unit, and to enable it to be integrated into the current eco-system that is already installed at the receiving end, has made them a favorite choice with many companies and government agencies.

Cameras capable of recording video at 60 frames per second (fps) are becoming widely available in the security industry. It’s important to understand what 60-fps brings to the table for the security industry and how to leverage the technology for particular scenarios.
Capturing video at 60-fps represents a unique application. System integrators typically use much lower frame rates, ranging from 7- to up to 30-fps. The potential for an incident might only represent 1%, or less, of the time a camera is recording. However, when a significant event does occur, it’s better to record at a higher frame rate, because incidents such as a car accident, an altercation, or someone running away are usually only seconds long. Depending on the lighting environment, and the camera setup at that time, you either captured plenty of details or you didn’t.
Casino And Stadium Security
For example, in casinos, hands, money and chips move around quickly. If there’s a dispute, footage needs to be examined frame-by-frame at a resolution that provides exacting detail. For this reason, Las Vegas casinos require at least 30-fps for any cameras covering gaming action.
Another example is a stadium; if you have a lower frame rate of 10-fps, it might look good when all the seats are empty and there is very little motion. On game day, things can look different. If there is an altercation, at that frame rate, it becomes difficult to ascertain the actual sequence of events. The quality of what is captured in those brief moments is where 60-fps recording pays off with its increased resolution and crystal-clear image detail.
Casino footage needs to be examined frame-by-frame at a resolution that provides exacting detail.
Can My Infrastructure Handle 60-fps?
Running multiple streams of 60-fps 24/7 will consume network resources and storage space at an exponential rate, which is difficult to justify for most organizations. For 60-fps recording to be practical, H.265 encoding and other compression techniques are necessary. With H.265, there is no requirement to upgrade a network infrastructure. H.265 does require a more capable workstation to decode, view and playback video, but most VMS systems utilize GPUs for decoding, so this is a non-issue for most installations.
The best way to reduce network and storage bandwidth is to teach the camera not to run at its maximum frame rate when there is no motion. The frame rate can drop to 5- to 4-fps if there is no motion or other activity, but as soon as there is a visual or audible trigger, the camera can dynamically switch to its highest frame rate. Having analytics in-camera makes this simple to setup and should be part of a camera’s profile.
Performance Vs. Frame Rate
A camera capable of 60-fps output is considered a high-performance camera. It might be more beneficial to put that performance to use enabling features other than pure 60-fps output. Cameras with the power to output 60-fps should also be able to process more data in parallel than regular cameras.
This means that a 60-fps camera could also be used to send out multiple streams at lower frame rates. You might decide on a 30-fps stream to the recorder, with a 15-fps profile feeding a live view, and another 15-fps stream going to a cellphone app. In this way, a 60-fps camera can offer tremendous flexibility in how its power and processing are used.
Shutter speeds are typically reduced at night to get more light onto a camera’s sensor
WDR (wide dynamic range) has the ability to combine multiple exposures into a single image to allow us to see in the shadows while not overexposing highlights. WDR can also halve your frame rate. A typical 30-fps sensor with WDR enabled has an effective frame rate of 15-fps for motion because of the duplicate frames being used for exposures. Starting with a 60-fps camera, customers can utilize WDR and still have an impressive 30-fps frame rate for an incredible quality image.
Optimising Equipment For Low-light Usage
Shutter speeds are typically reduced at night to get more light onto a camera’s CMOS sensor. The sensitivity of the sensor and the lens f-stop will come into play, but in general, if you force the camera to run at 60-fps at night, it’s going to produce a darker image than a 15-fps or 30-fps camera.
A camera set at 15-fps may also produce more of a ghosting effect on fast moving objects. Ultimately, it’s the customer’s individual use case that should dictate what is most important between luminance and clarity for moving objects.
A powerful 60-fps camera can deliver the best tradeoff between low-light performance and frame rate, giving end users the best possible solution available for their unique requirements. Many VMS solutions can tell cameras to switch profiles at certain times of the day to capture optimal images based on the environment and time of day.
Again, 60-fps cameras can offer the most flexibility across all scenarios. It’s important to remember that most cameras look good in daylight, and since 99% of installations happen in the daytime, always remember to tune cameras for nighttime use as well.

Our most popular articles in 2017 reflected changing trends in the U.S. security market, from deep learning to protection of mobile workers, from building automation to robotics. Again in 2017, the most read articles tended to be those that addressed timely and important issues in the security marketplace. In the world of digital publishing, it’s easy to know what content resonates with the market: Our readers tell us with their actions; i.e., where they click.
Let’s look back at the Top 10 most-clicked articles we posted in 2017. They are listed in order here with the author’s name and a brief excerpt.
1. Las Vegas Massacre Demands Reevaluation of Hospitality Sector Security
The Oct. 1, 2017, sniper attack from a 32nd-floor room at Mandalay Bay, overlooking 22,000 people attending a country music festival, has been compared to “shooting fish in a barrel.” When the bullets rained down, there was nowhere to hide. The attack came from outside the “perimeter” of the event, so any additional screening of attendees would not have prevented it. There are also implications of the Las Vegas massacre for the hospitality industry. Hotels and resorts such as Mandalay Bay have not generally embraced technologies like the explosives scanners or X-ray machines used at airport terminals, at least not in the United States.
2. Deep Learning Algorithms Broaden the Scope of Video Analytics [Zvika Ashani]
Until recently there have been minimal applications of Machine Learning used in video analytics products, largely due to high complexity and high resource usage, which made such products too costly for mainstream deployment. However, the last couple of years have seen a tremendous surge in research and advances surrounding a branch of Machine Learning called Deep Learning. The recent increased interest in Deep Learning is largely due to the availability of graphical processing units (GPUs). GPUs can efficiently train and run Deep Learning algorithms
The last couple of years have seen a tremendous surge in research and advances surrounding a branch of Machine Learning called Deep Learning
3. Home Security Systems: Why You Need to Upgrade From 3G to 4G Technology [Missy Dalby]
The current communication method for most home security systems is via CDMA and 3G (GSM) technologies. With the emergence of faster, better, and stronger 4G LTE technology, carriers are migrating away from old technology standards and methods towards new, more efficient ones. As such, the older technology is going dark, and soon. Manufacturers of cellular modules have stopped making them. At the end of 2018 they will stop letting customers add systems utilizing 3G radios to their channels.
4. Diving into AI and Deep Learning at NVIDIA’s San Jose Conference [Larry Anderson]
Video analytics applications fall under NVIDIA's “AI City” initiative, which they describe as a combination of "safe cities" (video surveillance, law enforcement, forensics) and "smart cities" (traffic management, retail analytics, resource optimization). Depending on the application, AI City technology must function in the cloud, on premises and/or at the edge. NVIDIA’s new Metropolis initiative offers AI at every system level, from the Jetson TX2 "embedded supercomputer" available at the edge, to on-premises servers (using NVIDIA’s Tesla and Quadro) to cloud systems (using NVIDIA’s DGX).
5. Physical Security Evolves to Protect Mobile Workers [Annie Asrari]
With an increasing number of employees traveling and working remotely, the days of a dedicated worker who commutes to and from a single location every day of the week are just about over. Security professionals must take a second look at their policies and procedures for employee safety. To protect employees in this new mobile world, where people, assets and brand reputation threats may face higher than normal levels of safety and security risks, businesses must focus less on securing physical, four-wall perimeters and instead take a global approach to security that focuses on protecting traveling, remote and lone workers.
Businesses must take a global approach to security that focuses on protecting traveling, remote and lone workers
6. New Security Technologies Driving Excitement on Busy ISC West Day One [Larry Anderson]
ISC West in Las Vegas kicked off April 5 with an expanding focus on new technologies and new applications, including some that go beyond any narrow definition of security. “Technology is disrupting the market and executives are taking our solutions beyond security,” says Moti Shabtai, CEO and President of Qognify. “They are starting with security and quickly moving to other risk and business continuity issues in the organizations. They want a clear return on investment (ROI), which we can deliver if we move from covering a limited island of ‘security’ issues and give them the value of also managing risk, safety, and operations.”
7. Optimizing Building Automation for Good Return on Investment [Minu Youngkin]
Smart buildings are on the rise around the world, not only because a growing number of companies are considering their environmental impact, but also because of the dramatic cost savings that can be realized through integration. In every building that has an integrated security and access control system, an opportunity awaits to also integrate the building’s energy use, water use, ventilation and more. The key is to effectively convey the tremendous potential of this new technology to the end user.
8. ISC West 2017: How Will IT and Consumer Electronics Influence the Secuirty Industry? [Fredrik Nilsson]
A good way to predict trends [at the upcoming ISC West show] is to look at what’s happening in some larger, adjacent technology industries, such as IT and consumer electronics. Major trends on these fronts are the most likely to influence what new products will be launched in the electronic security industry. Proof in point is H.264, an advanced compression technology ratified in 2003 and adopted as the new standard by the consumer industry a few years later. By 2009, it became the new compression standard for the video surveillance industry as well.
Violence will continue to challenge the healthcare sector in the future
9. The Future of Healthcare Security: Violence Response and Emergency Preparedness [Ben Scaglione and David LaRose]
Violence will continue to challenge the healthcare sector in the future. Domestic violence, child abuse, behavioral health, drug and alcohol abuse will all continue to challenge hospital staff in the Emergency Department, Women’s Health, and behavioral health areas. The Hazard Vulnerability Assessments (HVA) along with facility wide risk assessments helps in defining risk severity and identifying historical patterns of violence.
10. Robot Revolution: Uncovering the Real Value of Security Robots [Steve Reinharz]
The security coverage that a robot offers in the case of a shopping mall can be easily overshadowed by the fact that the machines seem to serve to entertain the population. Instead, security robots can best be utilized for more high-level roles, such as in critical infrastructure sites, corporate campuses and educational facilities, where wide, expansive spaces require continuous protection. In these locales, security can be difficult to achieve, as cost, location and lack of resources make the logistics of deployment difficult.

Security beat

Change is happening at MOBOTIX, and the German company wants to get the word out. “This company has been around since 1999, and people still give us a blank stare because they don’t understand what’s behind the curtain,” says Joe Byron, Vice President Sales Americas, MOBOTIX CORP. “As we gain visibility, people really want to know ‘what’s going on over there?’”
There’s a lot going on. A new CEO, Thomas Lausten, who joined the company last year, is a former Milestone employee who brings with him the Milestone philosophy of open systems. It’s a culture shift for MOBOTIX, which has historically favored closed systems.
“We needed a new leader to take us to the next level,” says Byron. “Thomas brings an open-platform mentality. He listens to a variety of opinions – from end users, architects and engineers, and MOBOTIX employees – before formulating a smart decision. That will take us to the next level.”MOBOTIX has been well ahead of the industry’s technology curve, and several early innovations have recently become more common
The MOBOTIX Ecosystem
Over the years, MOBOTIX has developed a unique “culture” that has many rabid devotees; some say it’s the security industry’s version of tech giant Apple. “MOBOTIX has many loyalists, who are enthused about the products and the culture,” says Byron. “We can build on that with a new level of products, more excitement and a new direction.”
In addition to a new CEO, MOBOTIX will soon have a new chief technology officer (CTO), Hartmut Sprave, who will be joining this summer. Providing “fresh eyes on the subject” and an outside perspective from the IT industry will drive further innovation. “We don’t want to be on the bleeding edge, but on the cutting edge, and know the audience and its needs and challenges,” says Byron.
MOBOTIX’ existing technology mix provides a foundation as the company makes the transition. In some cases, MOBOTIX has been well ahead of the industry’s technology curve, and several early innovations have recently become more common. An example is MOBOTIX’ decentralized system approach with edge-based recording.
Tradeshow Successes
Products highlighted by MOBOTIX at the recent ISC West show included the M16 AllroundDual Multisensor IP camera, S16 DualFlex IP camera and the Q26 Hemispheric 360-degree panoramic IP camera for indoor and outdoor applications. MOBOTIX Management Center (MxMC) 1.8 can change the camera settings on 80 cameras at a time. MOBOTIX IP Video Door Stations can interface with iOS and Android smartphone apps.
“We have had so many things in place over so many years that people haven’t known about,” says Byron. He argues that MOBOTIX’ emphasis on technology development sets it apart from some camera companies in the U.S. market.
Joe Byron, Vice President of Sales, and Ashley Grabowski, Regional Marketing Manager, at ISC West 2018
“People have been let down in the U.S. market with cameras that have been over-marketed, over-reaching and have little substance,” he says. The German engineering of MOBOTIX products and systems provides an antidote to the technology void, he says. “They are looking for the substance, and that’s what we have,” says Byron.
What was missing – until now – was the “layer of integration” with other systems in the market, contends Byron. That separated MOBOTIX from the rest of the industry.MOBOTIX offers cybersecurity features that pre-dated the current industry obsession, such as HTTPS/SSL encryption in recording and playback video
“But now we are an open platform, and we have these features sets and are the best of both worlds,” he says. “We can align with technology products and bring MOBOTIX to the masses. It’s a matter of listening to customer challenges and formulating a path to meet those challenges.”
The fruits of that open system approach were on display at ISC West. The MOBOTIX booth featured integrations with ClearSite, Omnicast by Genetec, Konica Minolta and Mx-MSP by APB Technology. Other MOBOTIX technology partners include Avigilon, Bosch, Exacq, Gallagher, IndigoVision, Lenel, Milestone, Pelco by Schneider Electric, Salient Systems, Verint and Video Insight (Panasonic).
Targeting Local Markets
Another change under the new leadership is more flexibility to address the needs of local markets. “We need to be aware of our audience in the Americas,” says Byron, “and how approaching the market and the product mix may be different. We have the ability to create what we need here to be successful.”
One particular concern in the Americas market is cybersecurity, and MOBOTIX offers cybersecurity features that pre-dated the current industry obsession, such as HTTPS/SSL encryption in recording and playback video. “We already have it, but we have never broadcast it to the masses,” says Byron. “We have the substance but haven’t communicated it.”
Looking to enter the government market, for example, MOBOTIX faces the important requirement to be “IA compliant.” The company qualifies as IA (information assurance) compliant but just needs to go through the process of getting the “rubber stamp.”
“We have so much under the hood when it comes to our products,” says Byron. He says MOBOTIX’ Internet of Things (IoT) approach can meet any end user challenges. “We can be all things to all people, if they truly get to know us. We just need to develop a vehicle to allow customers to communicate with us: What is the challenge? Nine times out of 10 we can meet that challenge with one of our cameras.”

With global events putting security at the forefront of everyone’s minds, IFSEC International 2017 was a chance for the industry to come out in force. Over 600 exhibitors and numerous seminars kept visitors informed on the latest innovations in security products, solutions and best practice. Despite the challenging heatwave, exhibitors were raring to go for the three mercifully air-conditioned days of the exhibition. SourceSecurity.com took to the show floor to check out what exhibitors were talking about. [Pictured: Nedap Security Management welcomes new Managing Director Fokko van der Zee]
Increasing ROI in vertical markets
Sustainable partnerships overtake integrations
Power in the hands of the customer
Adding Value In Vertical Markets
The big question for many exhibitors was how to stand out on a show floor (and in a market) dominated by larger commoditized brands. Manufacturers rose to the challenge by deliberately positioning themselves as solutions providers within specific vertical markets, rather than trying to compete on low cost products.
For Vivotek, the Taiwanese IP surveillance specialists, the emphasis was on adding value in particular markets such as transport and retail. Alongside a lineup of 180° and 360° solutions, the manufacturer debuted its 12-megapixel fisheye camera, FE9391-EV, whose 360° lens technology makes it ideal for crowd detection and loitering-time analysis in the retail sector, in addition to traditional security applications.
Vivotek’s vertical market focus was further reinforced by demonstrations of its integrations with SeeTec and Wavestore. This collaboration forms part of the company’s Solution Integration Alliance program, which aims to create better end-user solutions through integration of Vivotek products with partner technologies.
Collaborating On Technology And Customer Support
This was a theme which resonated across the show floor. The Promise Technology stand firmly emphasized collaboration, with presentations from the storage provider’s IP camera partners including IronYun and Axis Communications. Particular importance was given to education and training for partners and end users to get the most out of integrated solutions.
The emphasis for Promise Technology was on education and training for partners and end users
Similarly, for Nedap Security Management, the increasing demand for connected systems means that open platform solutions are essential to excel within the security industry. As well as welcoming new Managing Director Fokko van der Zee, Nedap used its presence at the show to inform visitors about new and ongoing partnerships with key players in the industry. These partnerships include ASSA ABLOY, Touchless Biometric Systems and Milestone Systems.
According to Jeroen Harmsen, Nedap’s Director of Product Management, the ability to provide collaborative solutions is becoming a key differentiator in the security sector and beyond. While many companies pursue product integrations, what makes sustainable partnerships stand out is ongoing cooperation on issues such as customer support. This, according to Harmsen, is why the deep integration of Milestone’s XProtect VMS and Nedap’s AEOS access control system has been so successful.
Making Customers’ Lives Easier
This insistence on customer service as a differentiating factor also extended to video surveillance manufacturers. However, not all exhibitors were aiming to achieve this through increased integration. Cisco Meraki, whose cloud-managed video system is relatively new to the security market, deliberately steers clear of the market trend for integration in favour of the ‘Apple’ approach, aiming to provide a comprehensive solution on one easy-to-use platform. The architecture is intended to make customers’ lives easier by removing the NVR from the equation - video is stored on the edge and managed via the cloud, eliminating the ongoing costs and maintenance associated with traditional hardware solutions.
Eagle Eye Networks president Ken Francis was also hoping to highlight the benefits of customer-friendly cloud surveillance at the show. The acquisition of Panasonic's Cameramanager has allowed Eagle Eye Networks to cater to smaller businesses with cameras connected directly to the internet. The company’s cloud storage solution also includes Remote Power Cycling via an integrated PoE switch, allowing users to remotely repower cameras themselves with no training or expertise. Crucial to Eagle Eye Networks' customer-friendly outlook is the possession of its own local data centers worldwide, reducing cloud storage costs and allowing customers to choose where their video is stored.
Making your security products stand out on a crowded show floor is no easy task, but IFSEC 2017 saw plenty of innovation from video surveillance, access control and intrusion providers alike. As competition increases, added value solutions, collaboration and ease-of-use are sure to help manufacturers make a splash at future shows!

A growing emphasis on the impact of data – storing it, analyzing it, and getting more value from it – was a common theme at this year’s IFSEC. Throughout the three days of the show at London’s ExCeL exhibition center last week, there were many conversations about the growing benefits of the data generated by today’s physical security systems.
Industry embraces deep learning & artificial intelligence
Video analytics increasingly critical
Access control provides business intelligence
The move towards edge-based storage
Deep Learning And Video Analytics
Video data was one key focus; especially how tools such as artificial intelligence and deep learning will create more value. However, Bjørn Skou Eilertsen, Chief Technology Officer of Milestone, warns that some companies may be adopting the deep learning buzzwords prematurely for marketing purposes. “I am surprised that so many companies at IFSEC have picked up on deep learning without having meat on the bone,” he says. The real challenge is to drive the deep learning value proposition, and truly deliver on the innovations to customers. Not surprisingly, he sees Milestone’s “open system community” approach as the best way forward.
Embracing deep learning and artificial intelligence will change the dynamics of video analytics and could lead to a renaissance in the market, says Eilertsen. Historically, video analytics have been rules-based and “you have to know what you’re looking for,” says Eilertsen. The approach has limited ideas about what analytics can do, while issues such as ownership of patents have made companies hesitant to enter the fray. The deep learning approach both breaks through the confines and makes patents covering rules-based analytics irrelevant.
Deep learning and artificial intelligence will change the dynamics of video analytics, says Milestone Systems' Bjørn Skou Eilertsen
“It’s changing the dynamics of the analytics market and inviting new players to engage,” says Eilertsen. “Deep learning and neural networks are not managed the same way, they are easier to engage, and more people are engaging.”
Growing Camera Counts And Multiplying Data Streams
More and better video analytics are a necessity as camera counts grow and video data streams multiply. Video analytics add a critical automation aspect to video systems, enabling systems to process video and provide needed information without requiring operators to view hours of video to find a needed detail – the proverbial needle in the haystack. Using neural networks to analyze video offers a clear advantage over the process of monitoring 10,000 cameras, for example.
The extra processing power for deep learning comes from graphics processing unit (GPU) hardware, which provides faster, parallelized computing and enables neural networks. “It changes the way the industry looks at analytics,” says Eilertsen. He sees coming innovation around more predictive modeling and systems that change over time to solve a shifting array of problems. Milestone’s future lies in supplying a deep learning element operating alongside the video management system, providing a platform onto which innovators from the Milestone “community” can solve new problems that leverage the value of tons of video.
Milestone has extended its VMS ecosystem to even the industry’s smallest customers. Milestone has released a free video management system (VMS) product for use with up to eight channels. The approach allows a small business to embrace video surveillance on a small scale and low cost, and then grow the system over time, hopefully eventually becoming a customer of Milestone’s XProtect corporate-level product. The transition path only involves upgrading the licence as the system grows. A basic, eight-channel system is built using the same binary code as the larger products.
AI Education At IFSEC
NVIDIA, the GPU manufacturer that provides hardware for the industry’s transition to artificial intelligence and deep learning, exhibited at IFSEC as part of its continuing awareness push in the physical security market.
NVIDIA also raised awareness of AI and deep learning at its GPU technology conference in San Jose
Eddie Seymour, European Technical Director of NVIDIA, acknowledged a mission of “evangelism” at IFSEC. “We’re not here to sell you anything, it’s more of an education,” he said. NVIDIA is working with partners to incorporate GPUs, including Jetson “embedded” systems, into various technologies.
To illustrate the sheer power of AI platforms, a flat screen monitor at NVIDIA’s stand displayed video analytics working simultaneously on 30 high-definition video streams, illustrating the fast processing capabilities as the system identified anomalies on each stream as a rapid pace.
Seymour said they have had a lot of conversations with end users at IFSEC about how they might use the technology. NVIDIA can then act as “matchmaker” to pair up end users’ needs with various partners that are working in those specific areas. City-wide projects are a focus for NVIDIA, and Europe is another place where cities are embracing newer intelligent systems. Seymour says the market is more fragmented in Europe than in the U.S., and there are more startups playing in this arena.
Leveraging Access Control Data
Data is driving innovation in the area of access control, too. More customers are looking for ways they can leverage access control databases for information about buildings, people, movements, and behaviour in the corporate environment. Combined with information from IT systems, access control can provide a holistic view of a business. “You can see the trends and statistics, can predict some issue about a certain door,” says Raf Schrijvers, Project Marketing Manager EMEA, Tyco Security Products. “You can discover anomalies in terms of business users, for employees and for subcontractors and visitors. In the case of subcontractors, you can verify how long they were on the premises. Access control becomes a tool to track work time.”
Tyco's customers want to capture access control data as useful information
Being at IFSEC (in a meeting room at the back of the hall), Tyco had a chance to hear the voice of customers. “They want to use access control systems in a good way, capturing data and doing something with that data as useful information,” says Schrijvers. “We can go into complex reports and make them easy to read for management. They can evaluate building uses and energy costs, or calculate cost savings over time. Access control becomes a real tool for them, and they can even make the company money over time.”
In addition to listening to customers, Tyco’s meeting room also provided a forum to discuss the corporate roadmap and strategic vision with select customers. Product enhancements include embedded visitor management, dual-factor authentication and enhanced security. Mobile apps are another area of focus, offering new ways for users to interface with their access control systems. Users can provide “I am safe” messages in an emergency, for example, or pop-up alarms can be communicated easily from the central system.
Optimizing Storage For Video Surveillance
Storage is another aspect of data in the physical security market that was well covered at IFSEC 2017. Western Digital (WD) focused at the show on their broadening range of storage products, now including in-camera flash (SD) storage as a result of WD’s acquisition of San Disk. Resonating with the market trend toward more edge-based storage, San Disk products offer high endurance, which is needed for video surveillance applications where they might need to last for five years or more. A mistake integrators make is using consumer-grade SD chips, which have not been optimized for video surveillance applications, says Ziv Pax, Director, MCS Industrial Channel Business, San Disk (a WD brand).
WD also unveiled its Gold storage platform for larger enterprise uses (550 terabytes per year in workload) as well as the Purple product, which accommodates 180 terabytes per year in workload and now offers up to 10 terabytes of storage (new at the show).
In addition to better security, an emerging byproduct of our industry’s products and systems is a steady flow of data that can be translated into useful information for customers. It was one of several hopeful signs revealed in our discussions at IFSEC. The industry is clearly moving in new directions, with new vibrancy and towards renewed prosperity.

Case studies

When iconic Dublin restaurant and super pub Café en Seine was totally redesigned and refurbished, Create Security Solutions was called in to provide an extensive but discreet video surveillance system, for the protection of customers and staff. Create worked with Hikvision to design and install a network video system that delivered on Café en Seine’s need for a high quality, aesthetically pleasing security solution.
In the very heart of Dublin’s city center on Dawson Street lies one of the city’s most iconic and aesthetically stunning venues. Café en Seine, established more than 25 years ago in 1993, has long been a go-to destination for Dubliners and visitors alike. And now its legacy continues, with a brand new redesign, featuring several beautiful dining areas and a host of bars and bespoke event spaces – and a unique indoor Parisian street garden, with room for 250 guests for special events.
High-End Food Experience
Café en Seine offers an extensive food menu which caters for a range of tastes and occasionsRenowned for its five-star service, and described as Dublin’s first ‘super pub’, Café en Seine offers an extensive food menu which caters for a range of tastes and occasions. Head Chef Stephen Gibson and his team provide simple, fun dishes, bursting with seasonal flavors, designed for sharing. It’s a high-end food experience in a casual dining atmosphere.
Unsurprisingly, the team at Café en Seine are also experts when it comes to drinks. The cocktail menu has been specially curated by the team behind Crucible, London to ‘enhance specific moments and experiences within the venue, from the physical surroundings to the music and the service, making each drink memorable’.
The Irish Times says Café en Seine has “been transformed into a sleek, opulent space set over three storeys, in a style redolent of the grandest Parisian brasserie.” It’s a large space, 1,544 sq. m in area, with the capacity for approximately 1300 people at a time.
Intelligent Video Monitoring Solution
An intelligent video monitoring solution was required in order to protect this innovative new dining experienceA project like this is valuable and worth securing. An intelligent video monitoring solution was required in order to protect this innovative new dining experience. To this end, network video security experts Create Security Solutions were called in, and system designers Mark Woods & Niall McDonnell set about devising a system which would address Café en Seine’s specific needs.
Woods, who is Create’s Managing Director, said the system had to be able to deliver a wide variety of results, while also blending into the art deco aesthetic of Café en Seine’s redesign. It was required to be able monitor the venue’s till areas, and to record any customer and staff health and safety issues, as well as the conventional function of after-hours surveillance for break-ins or theft.
“At the same time,” Woods explains, “the whole of the network design, the topology, cable lengths and routes, the network video recorder and camera settings needed to minimize the impact on the network’s bandwidth as much as possible.”
Reducing Bandwidth Load
The solution Create devised was based on network topology using Hikvision H265+ encoding technology, to reduce bandwidth loads. Hikvision’s H.265+ is an optimized encoding technology based on the standard H.265/HEVC compression format. H.265+ video quality is almost equivalent to H.265, but uses far less transmission bandwidth and thus also extends video storage recording capacity.
H.265+ video quality is almost equivalent to H.265, but uses far less transmission bandwidth and thus also extends video storage recording capacityThe other crucial factor was ‘plenty of time’. Time was important, because the system had to be installed simultaneous with all the redevelopment work which was taking place to the premises.
“We had to stay on the same page as all the other workers on the site,” Woods said. “Obviously there are elements of a system like this that can only be installed at the appropriate moment, when contractors and decorators have reached the point that we can put our kit into place.
“So we needed to keep an eye on their work, and follow-up as they progressed. It meant that we were assembling the system piece by piece – but those pieces weren’t necessarily in sequence, as different contractors worked on different aspects of the premises concurrently.”
Ensuring Optimum Positioning Of Cameras
As well as dealing with that complexity, Create needed to make sure that they addressed both the aesthetic and practical requirements of the system’s installation.
The challenge we had was to ensure we positioned the cameras in the optimum place to get the best image"
“We had to ensure that all 127 cameras we installed would blend into the interior, that they’d look unobtrusive and be able to see everything we needed them to,” Woods says. “The challenge we had was to ensure we positioned the cameras in the optimum place to get the best image, while also making certain nothing would encroach on the camera’s field of view.
“That included speakers, trees, and chandeliers and other lights. Café en Seine’s pretty generously decorated, from the floor to the high ceilings, so this was a fairly complicated part of the process itself.”
Installation Of Network Mini Domes
Create’s Alex Koltunov was lead engineer on the project, and he oversaw the installation of the Hikvision kit. This included the aforementioned 127 cameras, all discreet network mini domes which blend into and complement the interior design of Café en Seine.
The cameras record to four 32-channel network video recorders, sited in a comms room three floors above the diners. In the manager’s office is a 32-inch monitor. Using a mouse and switcher, all 127 cameras can be easily and conveniently viewed from here.
The image quality is extremely high, the best they’ve seen, and the ease of use and customer friendly software is a fantastic plus"“We wanted to ensure that there was a minimum of equipment in the manager’s office, but that full control of the system was still possible,” Woods explains. “It’s an efficient use of the space, without CCTV control equipment dominating the room. Because of this and the system itself, the customer’s really happy with the installation. The image quality is extremely high, the best they’ve seen, and the ease of use and customer friendly software is a fantastic plus.”
High-Quality And User-Friendly System
David Murray, Café en Seine General Manager, confirms the sentiment and satisfaction. “We are extremely happy with the new CCTV system from Create Security Solutions,” he says. “Create have exceeded their remit in providing a high quality, aesthetically pleasing system. We asked that our new CCTV system blend with the new fit out and that has been achieved by Create.
“All areas of our premises are covered by CCTV. We could not ask for better-quality images, and the system is extremely user friendly. From the start of this project, Create have worked with us to overcome some challenges with lighting and placement of cameras, and the results speak for themselves.”

A 300-plus camera city center video surveillance scheme in Lincoln has been installed and commissioned using cameras, monitors and switching equipment from Dahua Technology.
The previous analog-based CCTV system was more than 20 years old and had become expensive to maintain, so City of Lincoln Council decided to replace the analog cameras and transmission equipment with HD digital equipment. The total cost of ownership has been reduced by the savings made on legacy fiber lease costs, as well as reduced energy consumption and the ability to configure and maintain the cameras remotely.
Installation Of IP Full HD System
The installation of the new IP full HD system and network is part of Lincoln’s smart city strategy – Vision 2020The design of the new all-wireless encrypted system was based around delivering flexible technology, reducing the total cost of ownership, ease of installation, lower maintenance requirements, smart edge analytics and remote connectivity. Environmentally friendly aspects of the project included specifying lower-energy equipment, integrating remote support and recycling hardware wherever possible. The council employed independent consultants Lever Technology Group to help them ensure they had a robust and future-proof radio network design.
The installation of the new IP full HD system and network is part of Lincoln’s smart city strategy – Vision 2020 – which seeks to drive innovation in the city and harness new technologies to improve the lives of citizens. One of the results is the provision of free Wi-Fi in the city, working alongside the Dahua cameras using the same IP wireless network.
Bandwidth Efficiency Using H.265 Compression
A combination of fixed and PTZ cameras were installed over a new 1GB duplex network. These include cameras from the Dahua Pro series, which features high image quality, bandwidth efficiency using H.265 compression and excellent low-light performance. Bullet cameras from the Ultra series – with powerful optical zoom, IR distances of up to 50 metres and software which supports people-counting and heat-mapping – were also installed.
The design of the scheme incorporated both camera and server-side analytics with legacy motion and audio detection
The bandwidth efficiency of the cameras meant that multiple cameras could be installed in any given position, providing 360° coverage of locations and up to 20 Megapixels of video capacity per location – compared with less than 400,000 pixels with the previous analog cameras.
The design of the scheme incorporated both camera and server-side analytics, including video content analytics, facial recognition, ANPR, heat maps and pedestrian counting, as well as legacy motion and audio detection. The objective of the facial recognition aspect is to support operators in areas such as the search for missing and vulnerable individuals.
PoE Switches For Providing Power
The superior image quality of the new system is borne out in figures which show an increase in ‘actionable’ images from 5% with the previous system to 60% successful reviews with the new one. Dahua PoE switches were also installed to provide power to the cameras, which are then connected to a layer-2 network.
A new video wall comprising ten Dahua DHL49-4K LED backlit 49-inch 4K Ultra HD video wall display units featuring industrial level wide-viewing LCD panels, was fitted into a newly refurbished control room in City Hall and connected to i-Comply wonderwall video display drivers.
This is a great collaboration of key project partners that have a tried-and-tested pedigree and working relationship with Videcom Security"Supplied through authorized distributor Mayflex, the entire system was installed by public space CCTV specialists Videcom Security, which worked with other partners to provide a high-performance, efficient and feature-rich system.
Cost-Effective And Reliable Equipment
Bill Mead, Managing Director at Videcom Security, said that working largely with Dahua video equipment meant it was easier for engineers in terms of configuration, as well as being cost-effective and representing good value for money. “Working with the Dahua product range has been great. The products have proved to be reliable and we experienced very few problems, from the initial configuration through to installation and commissioning.
“This is a great collaboration of key project partners that have a tried-and-tested pedigree and working relationship with Videcom Security. We broke new ground with the development of 4K H.265 decoding, the support through Luxriot for camera-side analytics and edge recording, and the development by Dahua of camera-to-camera communication, allowing for non-connected systems to communicate locally.”
Infinet 5GHz And Siklu E And V Band Radios
Videcom Security is a certified Dahua Integration Partner, training for which was delivered both by Dahua and the Mayflex AcademyDahua is a solution provider in the global video surveillance industry and associated technology and has a keen focus on innovation by investing heavily in research and development. For the Lincoln city scheme, its products were selected based on their performance and cost-effectiveness to meet project budgets. Videcom Security is a certified Dahua Integration Partner, training for which was delivered both by Dahua and the Mayflex Academy. This helped Videcom negotiate key firmware enhancements, which added to many of the analytical features available in each of the cameras.
The wireless network is built with Infinet 5GHz and Siklu E and V band radios. Resilience and diverse routing has been built into the network design, which supports video surveillance as well as public Wi-Fi and capacity for smart city services. Luxriot have worked closely with Dahua, supplying their Evo Global video management system and supporting edge analytics integration through their ‘events and actions’ management, which has also been integrated through to i-Comply’s VTAS CRVMS software (now rebranded as Viewscape).
Real-Time Control And Video Streaming
The Dahua system implemented by Videcom Security provides the main elements of our tier-1 solution"The introduction of H.265 compression was ground-breaking for such a project, with the system capable of displaying 4MP and 6MP H.265 to the operator’s spot monitor with real-time control and video streaming. “The Dahua system implemented by Videcom Security provides the main elements of our tier-1 solution,” said Martin Byrne, CCTV Team leader at Lincoln City Council. “The police are extremely pleased with the system and we’ve had very positive feedback from them.
“There is really no comparison from how we operated previously to how we can now. It revolutionizes how we manage the CCTV systems and data. The potential for what we can achieve going forward is remarkable. We have now started to get real results from the investment in analytics; in particular vehicle and people-counting has been deployed and data is used to enhance other city projects.”
Martin added: “Dahua has taken time out to visit and discuss with us our ambitions for smart city services. We have adopted Dahua as our brand of choice for CCTV cameras and have so far been very pleased and impressed with their reliability, low-light performance and overall image quality.”

Nestled on the banks of the river Thames, Kew Gardens in southwest London is home to the most diverse collection of living plants anywhere in the world. At 330 acres in size, it’s London’s largest UNESCO world heritage site, and has a history stretching back more than 250 years.
The Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew, attracts more than 1.6 million visitors every year, coming to see the 30,000 different kinds of plants, and to visit the Herbarium, which has over seven million preserved plant specimens. As an internationally important botanical research and educational institution, Kew’s library contains more than three quarters of a million books, along with more than 175,000 prints and drawings of plant life.
24/7 Video Surveillance Coverage
A need was identified to upgrade the existing legacy analog CCTV system to one capable of transmitting and recording in true HD
Kew Gardens hosts a wide variety of events throughout the year, including festivals, concerts and art exhibitions, as well as learning experiences for all ages and interests, in addition to the garden attractions. The site is accessible via London Underground, Overground, buses and river services in summer, and the public can enter via four separate gates: the Elizabeth Gate, the Brentford Gate, Victoria Gate and the Lion Gate. There are also a number of other access gates to the gardens which are not open to the public.
Because of the sheer volume of visitors and the multitude of public and trade entrances to Kew Gardens, the site requires around the clock video surveillance coverage, seven days a week.
Analog To IP CCTV System
Kew’s CCTV control room operations team works to monitor the safety and security of the park, but a need was identified to upgrade the existing legacy analog CCTV system to one capable of transmitting and recording in true High Definition. Security specialist firm The ITS Group was called in to help.
The ITS Group is comprised of ITS Fire and Security, ITS Electrical, ITS Fire Training and ITS Building Services. The company has 20 years of experience within the fire and security industry, and provides CCTV, intruder alarms, barrier gates, security lighting, panic alarms, access control, and door and video entry, alongside a swathe of other services.
The results were achieved in the process of implementing a Hikvision IP HD video surveillance system
ITS Group Director Tim Dyer said the Kew project required upgrading equipment in the Gardens’ security control room and providing site-wide cameras which can be used to view all entrances for both public and trade, as well as various strategic locations throughout the Gardens.
Challenges In Installing Surveillance System
The massive 330-acre site is a huge area to monitor in itself, and Tim Dyer says the very public nature of the Gardens and its operations meant the actual video system installation posed some security continuity challenges.
“Because the control room needed to be in operation 24/7, close co-ordination was required between ITS and the security team on-site,” he says. “We needed to maintain the CCTV in line with the changing site requirements on a daily basis. This, coupled with access issues and working in a public environment, was very challenging, and the fact that we were able to achieve such good results is testament to the close co-ordination between the site team and Kew security.”
Those results were achieved in the process of implementing a Hikvision IP High Definition video surveillance system, which included new 43-inch and 22-inch HD monitors for the control room, along with new touchscreen network keyboards and joysticks.
HD Images In Low Light
When there’s no light at all, the Darkfighter cameras switch to IR mode and record black and white images at 0 LuxControl room operators monitor images from a number of different Hikvision cameras. These include an initial 48 DarkfighterX network speed domes, which provide color HD images in light levels as low as 0.001 Lux. That’s pretty dark. And when it gets darker still, they provide black and white images in light levels down to 0.0001 Lux.
When there’s no light at all, the Darkfighter cameras switch to IR mode and record black and white images at 0 Lux. In addition, they offer 25x zoom capabilities and Deep Learning-powered target classification for automatic tracking and perimeter protection.
They’re complemented by 29 Darkfighter 2 megapixel motorized varifocal lens cameras, 21 ultra-low light smart bullet cameras, and six low light smart cameras. Images are recorded to Hikvision 16-channel Turbo HD digital video recorders which support analog, HD-TVI, and IP cameras, H.264, H.264+ and dual-stream compression, and can output at up to 4K resolution.
Improved Picture Quality
The Gardens now have a full HD system which can be expanded with additional cameras in the future"The resulting system is not only powerful and effective in the short-term but is purposefully planned to incorporate forthcoming changes. “The Gardens now have a full HD system which can be expanded with additional cameras in the future,” Tim Dyer says. “It allows them to take advantage of technology advances and newly developed functionality on any cameras or devices they add to the system in future.”
Tim Dyer says the Hikvision system has revolutionised Kew’s video picture quality and functionality. “Making the change from an old analog system to installing a new Hikvision IP system has transformed the Gardens’ picture quality, both during the day and at night,” he says. “The zoom facility is amazing and precise, and the reliability of them is second to none, making the work of the control room operatives a much easier role.”
The HD surveillance system has been received exceptionally well by those whose opinion matters most: the security team at Kew Gardens. John Deer, Head of Security, said: “I am delighted with the installation of Hikvision cameras at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. They are of the highest quality, which has enhanced the overall security across the 330-acre site.”

Three years after its original decision to single source video monitoring solutions from Hanwha Techwin, (previously known as Samsung Techwin) the Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust is now investing in the latest Wisenet camera and recording technology to help create a safe environment for patients, staff and visitors within its mental health units.
Over 380 Wisenet X H.265 network cameras have recently been installed at 9 mental health units located throughout the Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust estate. These are in addition to the large numbers of earlier generation Wisenet cameras which were installed at 19 other units during previous phases of the project.
“We were pleasantly surprised to learn that the price of the Wisenet X cameras is lower than the older models which they supersede and yet they deliver superior performance and enhanced feature sets,” said Mark Milliard, Capital Projects Manager at the Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust. “It was an easy decision therefore to deploy various Wisenet X models throughout the 9 mental health units.”
Safeguarding Staff, Patients And Visitors
We are committed to the Safewards’ initiative, whose key aim is to reduce the rates of conflict within in-patient mental health settings"
The safety of its staff, patients and visitors is fundamentally important to the Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust and it needs to be able to constantly and unobtrusively monitor patient activity.
The Trust, which currently provides care for over 40,000 people with mental health problems, offers a range of specialist services that are dedicated to the care and recovery of anyone experiencing mental ill health or substance misuse issues across Norfolk and Suffolk. Although some of the mental health units are secure, the majority allow the free movement of patients.
“We are committed to the Safewards’ initiative, whose key aim is to reduce the rates of conflict within in-patient mental health settings,” said Mark Milliard, “We believe that the use of smart technology, such as IP network-based video monitoring systems, can play a large role in helping us achieve this objective.”
Upgrading To IP Network-based Systems
Mark, who has worked within NHS Estates since 1986, has over recent years overseen the migration of the Trust’s analog CCTV systems to IP network-based solutions. “The analog systems which were installed a number of years ago became increasingly unreliable and we made the decision to upgrade them with IP network-based systems,” explained Mark.
I was particularly impressed with the quality of the images which could be captured by the Wisenet cameras"
“A key advantage of being able to transmit images over the network is that it provides the flexibility for any authorized user to view live or recorded video captured by any of the cameras from their PCs. We realized that this would provide us with much more flexibility in terms of how we monitor activity at the mental health units, compared to the analog CCTV systems which could only transmit captured images to a central location.”
Monitoring High-Definition Images
“It made sense to source the cameras from just one manufacturer and from an ongoing maintenance point of view, to deploy the minimum possible number of different camera models,” said Mark. “I decided to carry out my own research as to which manufacturer had a product portfolio which could best cover all our requirements, as well as offering us the value we were looking for.
“Part of the value formulae had to include a rock-solid reputation for reliability, as well as cameras with advanced technical features which would allow us to capture and monitor high definition images, regardless of the location or environmental conditions.” Mark’s extensive evaluation of a large number of manufacturers resulted in a shortlist of two, from which Hanwha Techwin emerged as the winner.
“Both companies were able to show evidence as to the reliability of their cameras,” said Mark. “However, I was particularly impressed with the quality of the images which could be captured by the Wisenet cameras and the fact that each camera, depending on its location, could be configured to multi-stream images at different frame rates and at different resolutions. This offers a significant benefit from a network bandwidth management point of view.”
Wisenet Cameras With 150dB WDR Technology
Among the Wisenet X cameras recently installed are a number of XNP-6370R two megapixel 37x network IR PTZ domes which allow operators to zoom into observe close up detail of any activity
The majority of the cameras installed at the 9 mental health units are Wisenet XNV-6080R two megapixel vandal-resistant network domes which have built-in IR illumination and utilize H.265 compression to minimize bandwidth and video storage requirements.
Equipped with the world’s best 150dB Wide Dynamic Range (WDR) technology and the world’s best motorized varifocal F0.94 low light lens, Wisenet X cameras such as the XNV-6080R, are supercharged by the most powerful DSP chipset ever incorporated into a full camera range. Together, these features ensure superb quality color images are captured, regardless of the environment or the time of day.
The processing power of the Wisenet X chipset also provides the Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust with the option to run multiple on-board third-party analytics applications.
PTZ Domes, Fishnet And Panoramic Cameras
Also, among the Wisenet X cameras recently installed are a number of XNP-6370R two megapixel 37x network IR PTZ domes which allow operators to zoom into observe close up detail of any activity. In addition, a number of Wisenet XNF-8010R 4 megapixel 360° fisheye and Wisenet PNM-9020V 7.3 megapixel 180° panoramic cameras have been installed, in order to efficiently reduce the number of cameras which would normally be needed to monitor wide open areas within the mental health units.
With 4HDDs, the XRN-1610S offers a potential on-board storage capacity of up to 24TB, with additional storage possible via e-SATA
Images from all the recently installed cameras are being recorded onto Wisenet XRN-1610S Network Video Recorders (NVRs). With 4HDDs, the XRN-1610S offers a potential on-board storage capacity of up to 24TB, with additional storage possible via e-SATA. It also supports WiseStream, a complementary compression technology which dynamically controls encoding, balancing quality and compression according to movement in the image. Bandwidth efficiency is improved by up to 75% compared to current H.264 technology when WiseStream is combined with H.265 compression.
Relaxed And Secure Working Environment
“There is nothing wrong with the earlier generation of Wisenet cameras which we currently continue to use at most of the mental health units, but there is no doubt that the Wisenet X models are making it even easier for us to maintain a relaxed and secure working environment for our colleagues while keeping our patients safe,” added Mark Milliard.
“Over the coming months we will continue our program of updating the systems at other mental health units and in this respect, we have decided to continue to single source the cameras and recording devices from Hanwha Techwin.”

Recife’s urban trains system carries around 400 thousand passengers a day – it is the third largest railway operator in number of users in Brazil. To ensure a safe journey for passengers, it is imperative to increase the subway security with modern technologies and monitoring equipment.
The main challenge was to adapt the technology to the specific conditions such as lighting, people flow and speed of a subway station while not interrupting the transportation service. Therefore, ease of operation, installation and high availability of the system were prerequisites for choosing the surveillance solution.
Surveillance Operation Development
With a contribution of BRL 61.5 million to invest in the improvements for the Pernambuco subway, Companhia Brasileira de Trens Urbanos (Brazilian Urban Trains Company, CBTU) has started a recovery plan for stations, trains, electrical systems and permanent pathways last year. It then inaugurated a new phase of the surveillance operation with the acquisition of 1380 high-resolution cameras from Dahua Technology for the deployment of the surveillance system.
The Dahua intelligent surveillance system with embedded video analytics monitors 52 places scattered all over the 71 km of the railway line
The Dahua intelligent surveillance system with embedded video analytics monitors 52 places scattered all over the 71 km of the railway line at the capital and the metropolitan region. The project led by Grupo Avantia from the publication of the bidding contest until the installation combines four models of network cameras from Dahua: DH-IPC-HF5231EN-Z-S2; DH-IPC-HF5231EN-S2; DH-IPC-HDBW8231E-ZS2; and DH-SD65F230FN-H – all equipped with H.265 compression and video analytics.
Efficient Processing Format
These cameras work every day capturing and identifying images. With an amount of data that needs to be analyzed daily, the H.265 video compression pattern, a format twice as efficient as its predecessor (H.264), is essential since it uses only 50% of the bandwidth, maintaining the same quality.
The equipment using the main features of Dahua (H.265 compression, analytics, Starlight) has reinforced the security of the Central and Southern lines of the Pernambuco Subway and has allowed the operators to obtain detailed views of the subway operations, especially at peak hours or during tourist events, such as Carnival.
Starlight Surveillance Solution
Day and night, under difficult lighting conditions and even in points with extreme low light, Dahua exclusive Starlight cameras deliver sharp and colorful images to the surveillance center to guarantee the best performance in conditions of very low luminosity (0.005 Lux).
Technology strengthens user protection in a general way, because it avoids intrusions into vital areas of operation, depredations or other occurrences that could hinder the passenger transportation. With video analytics, even if the video surveillance operator is not tracking the images of a specific camera, the system automatically identifies and alerts a detected movement in a restricted region, for example.
In addition to the high technology, Dahua also provided professional technical support to guarantee the success of the installation process
Professional Technical Support
In addition to the high technology, Dahua also provided professional technical support to guarantee the success of the installation process, which did not hinder the operation of the subway. As revealed by Avantia’s Operational Director, Mr. Hamilton Valentin, “The partnership with CBTU has been very successful, due to the peculiarities of the implementation of the security system. It was a major deployment challenge, since all the systems of the stations were in full operation. It was a result of an outstanding team effort with the full support and partnership of the client, so that the implementation would occur in the best way possible and with minimal interventions in the subway system".
With the help of Dahua network cameras, the coming and going of passengers from Central and Southern lines now have the protection of the security teams in multiple locations throughout the subway’s operation. The new video surveillance system was designed to operate in a centralized management, which differs completely from the previous single-management model. Thus, with this change, it became possible to take better advantage of the human resources of the security team at the 37 stations.
Improved Quality Of Service
The whole system of Dahua video surveillance was thought to ensure not only the physical safety of each user, but also to avoid a common problem that causes a high impact to the quality of the service: vandalism. On some occasions, a window broken by a user can delay the routine of thousands of passengers. With the video surveillance cameras, it is possible to identify suspects, trigger the maintenance service in a more agile way and minimize the impact on the operation.
The video footage of occurrences that happen inside the System of Urban Trains’ facilities can be shared with the Military Police which, if necessary, can conduct searches in the image database and use resources such as Zoom to capture details that help in the investigations. The operators themselves can alert the authorities depending on the incident.
This is the first CBTU project, which also manages the urban rail transport in other Brazilian capitals, such as João Pessoa, Maceió, Natal and Belo Horizonte
Smart Video Surveillance System
This is the first CBTU project, which also manages the urban rail transport in other Brazilian capitals, such as João Pessoa, Maceió, Natal and Belo Horizonte. “With this case, Dahua Technology ratifies once again its expertise in projects for the public segment. The solution offered will enable the end client to have a fully smart video surveillance system that will provide optimal lighting in dark environments, 24h protection of restricted areas, occurrence alerts and high performance to operators. All this will focus on prevention and alerting possible situations that endanger the subway system as well as the security of its users", Fabio Lopes, Channel Sales Director of Dahua Technology Brasil.
“The cameras are being installed and monitored centrally, in a control room. In the future, we intend to achieve a cost reduction for the company, since with the cameras we were able to reduce in local surveillance at some subway stations, but the great advantage will be seen in the safety of our passengers. The images help us identify crimes in the stations and send this information to the law enforcement. We are in the implementation phase and starting to operate with smart technology, the results have already started to be seen – we have already managed to identify and arrest suspects, forwarding them to the police. We are employing all efforts to train and hire new agents and I am sure we will achieve greater gains in the future”, commented Leonardo Villar Beltrão, CBTU Recife Superintendent.
Minimal Interventions For Deployment
“The partnership with CBTU has been very successful, due to the peculiarities of the implementation of a state of the art security system. It was a major deployment challenge, since all the systems of the stations were in full operation. It was a result of an outstanding team effort with the full support and partnership of the Client, so that the implementation would occur in the best way possible and with minimal interventions in the subway system", said Hamilton Valentin, Avantia’s Operational Director.
“This project is of extreme importance to Spectra. We have been close to Avantia and Dahua Technology throughout the implementation process, providing them with all the necessary support in the delivery of solutions”, Reginaldo Mattos, Director of Spectra Systems.

The historic village of Leybourne in Kent is situated closed to the M20 and benefits from easy access to London, the channel ports and the motorway network. It’s a village with a strong community feel and an attractive rural character, however good transport links can bring problems. Leybourne Parish Council was particularly concerned by the risk of crime coming in from outside the area and to protect the community from vandalism and anti-social behavior and wanted a video surveillance system capable of deterring wrong-doers.
IDIS HD IP Video Surveillance Solution
Leybourne already had limited public area surveillance, but the system used outdated analog technology that was proving costly to maintain and difficult to adapt to changing needs. Budget constraints also meant that data-streaming had to be capped and as a result video evidence was only being recorded part time. London-based integrator iC2 CCTV was consulted and asked to devise a solution that would extend coverage, improve image quality and guarantee no data loss – and all that had to be achieved within the parish council’s limited budget.
A combination of 3-megapixel and 5-megapixel IDIS domes and bullet cameras gives significantly improved coverage and image detail
For significantly upgraded coverage, but with the lowest total cost of ownership, iC2 CCTV recommended installing the latest IDIS technology on a 5GHz point-to-point wireless infrastructure. At the heart of the new system is a powerful 64-channel, full HD NVR recorder – model DR-8364D – which offers the important advantage of flexible H.265/H.264 dual codec performance. This feature allows recording in high-definition H.265 but viewing on a variety of older screens using H.2264, so it means existing display equipment can be retained. A combination of 3-megapixel and 5-megapixel IDIS domes and bullet cameras mounted on lamp-posts in key locations gives significantly improved coverage and image detail.
IDIS Smart Failover and H.265 Technology
Furthermore, IDIS Smart Failover provides the best guarantee against data loss: if Leybourne’s network connection is compromised for any reason, all recordings continue to be stored on SD cards within the cameras and are then automatically downloaded as soon as the connection is re-established.
The IDIS technology together with the wireless network, installed over five weeks by iC2 CCTV without disrupting the village, gives Leybourne significantly improved protection without high ongoing costs. Unlike the old analog system, recordings are now easily searchable with time/date stamped footage and the high definition image quality is ideal for use in investigations and as evidence. IDIS Smart Failover ensures that uninterrupted evidence is always retained in the event of transmission failures, without the need for time-consuming manual data downloads from individual cameras. More cameras can now be easily added, or the location of cameras changed, as the need arises.

Round table discussion

Industry standards make it possible for systems and technologies to connect and work together. Standards enable today’s integrated systems. But does adherence to standards stifle innovation? Does the necessity to interface using an industry-wide standard slow down the implementation of newer (and possibly not standards-compliant) capabilities? Or do standards eliminate extraneous variables, empower more integration and encourage greater innovation? We asked this week’s Expert Panel Roundtable: How does the use of standards either stifle or jump-start innovation?

Rapid changes in technology span both the consumer and the physical security markets. In the consumer market, technology innovation is nowhere more apparent than in the palms of our hands, where we all hold the latest smartphones and mobile devices. Simply put, the unprecedented power and capabilities of today’s smart phones have changed our lives. No wonder they are also having an impact on our business of physical security systems. Although a consumer product, smartphones increasingly play a role in security. We asked this week’s Expert Panel Roundtable: How are smartphones impacting technologies in the physical security market?